CUPS Translation Guide


CUPS-TRANS-1.1
Easy Software Products
Copyright 2001-2002, All Rights Reserved

Table of Contents



1 Scope 2 References 3 Character Sets

4 Message Catalogs

5 Web Interfaces A Glossary

1 Scope

1.1 Identification

This translation guide provides instructions for creating translations of the CUPS message catalogs and web pages for the Common UNIX Printing System ("CUPS") Version 1.1 software.

1.2 System Overview

CUPS provides a portable printing layer for UNIX®-based operating systems. It has been developed by Easy Software Products to promote a standard printing solution for all UNIX vendors and users. CUPS provides the System V and Berkeley command-line interfaces.

CUPS uses the Internet Printing Protocol ("IPP") as the basis for managing print jobs and queues. The Line Printer Daemon ("LPD") Server Message Block ("SMB"), and AppSocket (a.k.a. JetDirect) protocols are also supported with reduced functionality. CUPS adds network printer browsing and PostScript Printer Description ("PPD") based printing options to support real-world printing under UNIX.

CUPS also includes a customized version of GNU Ghostscript (currently based off GNU Ghostscript 5.50) and an image file RIP that are used to support non-PostScript printers. Sample drivers for HP and EPSON printers are included that use these filters.

1.3 Document Overview

This translation guide is organized into the following sections:

2 References

2.1 CUPS Documentation

The following CUPS documentation is referenced by this document:

2.2 Other Documents

The following non-CUPS documents are referenced by this document:

3 Character Sets

CUPS uses character set files to define the mapping of local character sets to Unicode code points, as well as the fonts that should be used for different ranges of characters.

CUPS includes files for common 8-bit encodings as well as UTF-8 for Unicode text. The format of these files is described in the CUPS Interface Design Description (IDD) document. Current character sets are enumerated in the CUPS API, so in order to add a new character set you must patch the CUPS source as well as provide a new charset file.

CUPS 1.1 supports the following character sets:

4 Message Catalogs

CUPS message catalogs are text files that identify the default character set for the locale and a list of localized message strings for the CUPS software. The format of the message catalog files is described in the CUPS IDD.

Message catalogs are named cups_ll, cups_ll_CC, or cups_ll_CC.charset, where "ll" is the standard 2-letter abbreviation for the language, "CC" is the standard 2-letter abbreviation for the country, and "charset" is the charset name which may differ from the list above.

Each message catalog file is stored in a subdirectory named ll , ll_CC, or ll_CC.charset to match the trailing portion of the message catalog filename.

When translating a new message catalog, copy the cups_C message catalog file to a new subdirectory; to translate the message catalog to Canadian French, you would type the following commands:

Alternatively, you could copy the existing cups_fr message catalog and then make any changes necessary.

Once you have make your copy of the file, edit it using your favorite text editor to translate the text to the desired language. Be sure to preserve any numbers starting in the first column, as they indicate a new message number - you'll see this for the HTTP status messages.

Finally, add your locale to the list of locales in the makefile and run the following command to install it:

5 Web Interfaces

The CUPS scheduler provides a web interface that can be used to do many common printing and administration tasks. The built-in web server supports localization of web pages through the use of subdirectories for each locale, e.g. "fr" for French, "de" for German, "fr_ca" for French in Canada, and so forth.

5.1 Template Files

Template files are HTML files with special formatting characters in them that allow substition of variables and arrays. The CUPS CGI programs (admin.cgi, classes.cgi, jobs.cgi, and printers.cgi) use these template file to provide dynamic content for the web interface. Template files are installed in the /usr/share/cups/templates directory by default.

Translated versions of the template files should be installed in the appropriate subdirectories under /usr/share/cups/templates. For example, Canadian French template files should be stored in the /usr/share/cups/templates/fr_CA directory.

5.1.1 Inserting Attributes and Values

Template files consist of HTML with variable substitutions for named inside curley braces "{name}". Variable names are generally the IPP attribute names with the hyphen ("-") replaced by the underscore ("_") character. For example, the job-printer-uri attribute is renamed to job_printer_uri.

Curley braces ("{" and "}") to indicate substitutions, and the backslash ("\") character for quoting. To insert any of these special characters as-is you need to use the HTML &name; mechanism or prefix each special character with the backslash ("\".)

You substitute the value of a variable using {NAME} in your template file. If the variable is undefined then the {NAME} string is output as-is.

To substitute an empty string if the variable is undefined, use {?NAME} instead.

5.1.2 Array Substitutions

The number of array elements can be inserted using {#NAME} . If the array is undefined then 0 is output. The current array element (starting at 1) is inserted with {#}.

Arrays are handled using {[NAME] at the beginning of a section and } at the end. The information between the closing bracket ("]") and closing brace ("}") is repeated for as many elements as are in the named array. For example, the following template will display a list of each job in the job_id array:

Arrays can be nested, however all elements within the curley braces ("{" and "}") are indexed using the innermost array.

5.1.3 Conditional Tests

Templates can also test variables against specific values and conditionally include text in the template. The format is:

where true is the text that is included if the condition is true and false is the text that is included if the condition is false. A value of # is replaced with the current element number (starting at 1.)

The character after the variable name specifies the condition to test:

CharCondition
?True if variable exists.
=True if variable is equal to value .
!True if variable is not equal to value .
<True if variable is less than value .
>True if variable is greater than value .

5.1.4 Template File List

The following template files are used by the web interface:

add-class.tmpl
This is the initial form that is shown to add a new printer class.
add-printer.tmpl
This is the initial form that is shown to add a new printer.
admin-op.tmpl
This is the template that is used to display an error message when the admin interface sees an undefined operation name.
admin.tmpl
This is the template that shows the initial menu of operations (add a class, manage classes, etc.)
choose-device.tmpl
This is the form that shows the list of available devices.
choose-make.tmpl
This is the form that shows the list of available manufacturers.
choose-members.tmpl
This is the form that shows the list of available printers that can be added to a class.
choose-model.tmpl
This is the form that shows the list of available printer models/drivers.
choose-serial.tmpl
This is the form that allows the user to choose a serial port and any options.
choose-uri.tmpl
This is the form that allows the user to enter a device URI for network printers.
class-added.tmpl
This template shows the "class added" message.
class-confirm.tmpl
This is the template used to confirm the deletion of a class.
class-deleted.tmpl
This template shows the "class deleted" message.
classes.tmpl
This template shows one or more printer classes.
class-modified.tmpl
This template shows the "class modified" message.
config-printer.tmpl
This template starts the printer configuration form.
config-printer2.tmpl
This template ends the printer configuration form.
error.tmpl
This template displays a generic error message.
header.tmpl
This template is used as the standard header on all dynamic content.
job-cancel.tmpl
This template shows "job cancelled".
job-hold.tmpl
This template shows "job held".
job-op.tmpl
This is the template that is used to display an error message when the job interface sees an undefined operation name.
job-release.tmpl
This template shows "job released".
job-restart.tmpl
This template shows "job restarted".
jobs.tmpl
This template is used to list the print jobs on a server, class, or printer.
modify-class.tmpl
This template is used as the first form when modifying a class.
modify-printer.tmpl
This template is used as the first form when modifying a printer.
option-boolean.tmpl
This template is used to select a boolean PPD option.
option-header.tmpl
This template is used to start a PPD option group.
option-pickmany.tmpl
This template is used to select a multi-valued PPD option.
option-pickone.tmpl
This template is used to select a single-valued PPD option.
option-trailer.tmpl
This template is used to end a PPD option group.
printer-accept.tmpl
This template shows "printer now accepting jobs".
printer-added.tmpl
This template shows "printer added".
printer-configured.tmpl
This template shows "printer configured".
printer-confirm.tmpl
This template asks the user to confirm the deletion of a printer.
printer-deleted.tmpl
This template shows "printer deleted".
printer-modified.tmpl
This template shows "printer modified".
printer-purge.tmpl
This template shows "printer has been purged of all jobs".
printer-reject.tmpl
This template shows "printer now rejecting jobs".
printer-start.tmpl
This template shows "printer started".
printers.tmpl
This template is used to list information on one or more printers.
printer-stop.tmpl
This template shows "printer stopped".
test-page.tmpl
This template shows "test page printed".
trailer.tmpl
This template is used as the standard trailer on all dynamic content.

5.2 CGI Programs

CUPS uses four CGI programs to manage the dynamic web interfaces:

5.2.1 admin.cgi

The admin.cgi program handles all of the printer and class administration functions and is run for all direct accesses to the /admin resource. For most operations it uses the PRINTER_NAME and OP form variables to specify the action requested.

The following OP values are supported:

accept-jobs
Accepts jobs on the named destination.
add-class
Adds a new printer class. This operation also adds several other form variables:
MEMBER_URIS
Sets the members of the class. Multiple MEMBER_URIS values can be provided.
PRINTER_INFO
Sets the printer-info attribute for the printer class, which is usually the printer description.
PRINTER_LOCATION
Sets the printer-location attribute for the printer class.
add-printer
Adds a new printer. This operation also adds several other form variables:
BAUDRATE
Sets the baud rate for serial devices.
BITS
Sets the number of data bits for serial devices.
DEVICE_URI
Sets the device URI for the printer.
FLOW
Sets the flow control for serial devices.
PARITY
Sets the parity checking for serial devices.
PPD_NAME
Sets the driver name for the printer ("raw" for a raw queue.)
PRINTER_INFO
Sets the printer-info attribute for the printer, which is usually the printer description.
PRINTER_LOCATION
Sets the printer-location attribute for the printer.
config-printer
Configures an existing printer. This operation uses form variables of the same name as the options in the printer's PPD file.
delete-class
Deletes a printer class. The form variable CONFIRM may be set to any value to bypass the confirmation page.
delete-printer
Deletes a printer. The form variable CONFIRM may be set to any value to bypass the confirmation page.
modify-class
Modifies a printer class. See the add-class operation for a list of form variables.
modify-printer
Modifies a printer. See the add-printer operation for a list of form variables.
purge-jobs
Purges all jobs on the named destination.
reject-jobs
Rejects new jobs on the named destination.
start-printer
Starts the named destination.
stop-printer
Stops the named destination.

5.2.2 classes.cgi

The classes.cgi program is responsible for listing class information, including jobs destined for that class. It is for all direct accesses to the /classes resource and supports the optional form variables OP and WHICH_JOBS. If no form variables are supplied then the CGI lists all or a specific class and the active jobs on each class.

The following WHICH_JOBS values are supported:

completed
Show only the completed jobs.
not-completed
Show only the active jobs.

The following OP values are supported:

print-test-page
Print a PostScript test page.

5.2.3 jobs.cgi

The jobs.cgi program handles all of the job functions and is run for all direct accesses to the /jobs resource. For most operations it uses the JOB_ID, OP, and WHICH_JOBS form variables to specify the action requested.

The following WHICH_JOBS values are supported:

completed
Show only the completed jobs.
not-completed
Show only the active jobs.

The following OP values are supported:

job-cancel
Cancels a job.
job-hold
Holds a job indefinitely.
job-release
Releases a job for printing.
job-restart
Restarts a stopped, cancelled, completed, or aborted print job.

5.2.4 printers.cgi

The printers.cgi program is responsible for listing printer information, including jobs destined for that printer. It is for all direct accesses to the /printers resource and supports the optional form variables OP and WHICH_JOBS. If no form variables are supplied then the CGI lists all or a specific printer and the active jobs on each printer.

The following WHICH_JOBS values are supported:

completed
Show only the completed jobs.
not-completed
Show only the active jobs.

The following OP values are supported:

print-test-page
Print a PostScript test page.

A Glossary

A.1 Terms

C
A computer language.
parallel
Sending or receiving data more than 1 bit at a time.
pipe
A one-way communications channel between two programs.
serial
Sending or receiving data 1 bit at a time.
socket
A two-way network communications channel.

A.2 Acronyms

ASCII
American Standard Code for Information Interchange
CUPS
Common UNIX Printing System
ESC/P
EPSON Standard Code for Printers
FTP
File Transfer Protocol
HP-GL
Hewlett-Packard Graphics Language
HP-PCL
Hewlett-Packard Page Control Language
HP-PJL
Hewlett-Packard Printer Job Language
IETF
Internet Engineering Task Force
IPP
Internet Printing Protocol
ISO
International Standards Organization
LPD
Line Printer Daemon
MIME
Multimedia Internet Mail Exchange
PPD
PostScript Printer Description
SMB
Server Message Block
TFTP
Trivial File Transfer Protocol